The Itsekiri delineation report released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for Warri Federal Constituency has been rejected by leaders of the Itsekiri nation, who argued that significant aspects of the proposal violate constitutional provisions and fail to comply with established electoral guidelines. The position was made known during a press briefing in Warri, Delta State, where community leaders outlined their objections to the ward and constituency delineation exercise unveiled by INEC on May 20, 2026.
Addressing journalists on behalf of the Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality (IEN), Secretary of the Itsekiri Leaders of Thought, Sir Amorighoye Sunny Mene, said the ethnic group was not opposed to ward redelineation when conducted in line with constitutional requirements.
Mene was accompanied by several prominent Itsekiri leaders, including Edward Ekpoko, Prince Yemi Emiko, A. Mene, Alex Eyengho, and Robinson Ariyon. He explained that the briefing was convened to address the proposed delineation of wards, polling units, state constituencies, and the creation of an additional federal constituency within Warri Federal Constituency, as well as to respond to public narratives surrounding the exercise.
“We address you today on behalf of the Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality, IEN, regarding the proposed delineation of wards, polling units, state constituencies, the creation of an additional federal constituency within the Warri federal constituency and our reaction to media propaganda by a section of the Ijaw and the Urhobo (sponsored by the Ijaw of Gbaramatu),” Mene said.
The Itsekiri leaders stressed that their objections should not be interpreted as opposition to electoral reform or democratic inclusion. “From the outset, we state unequivocally that the Itsekiri people are not opposed to lawful electoral reforms, democratic inclusion or constitutional compliance,” Mene stated.
He also affirmed the group’s support for the Supreme Court judgment in Suit No. SC/143/2016, which directed INEC to conduct a fresh delineation exercise in Warri South, Warri South-West, and Warri North Local Government Areas. According to him, the Itsekiri nation fully respects the judgment and recognizes the need for compliance with lawful directives issued by the country’s highest court.
Despite supporting the court’s directive, the leaders said they could not accept the proposal released by INEC in Asaba on May 20. “However, we firmly reject the proposed delineation scheme released by INEC on May 20, 2026, for the reasons given shortly,” Mene said.
He argued that the Itsekiri delineation report was fundamentally flawed because it allegedly failed to meet constitutional and legal standards governing electoral boundary adjustments. According to the group, the exercise disregards provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, breaches INEC’s operational guidelines, and relies on disputed fieldwork and Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping processes.
“In our considered view, this exercise violates explicit constitutional provisions, disregards the Electoral Act 2026 (as amended), breaches INEC’s own operational guidelines, and relies on deeply flawed, disputed fieldwork and GIS mapping processes,” he said.
The Itsekiri leaders maintained that Nigeria’s electoral laws provide a clear framework for conducting delineation exercises. Mene noted that the 1999 Constitution establishes strict legal requirements for electoral delineation and that INEC’s operational guidelines contain specific standards that must be observed.
According to him, electoral wards should reflect proportionality, geographical contiguity, community identity, cultural balance, and established local government boundaries. He argued that the proposed Itsekiri delineation report failed to adequately satisfy these requirements and therefore cannot command the confidence of the affected communities.
The leaders urged INEC to ensure that any final delineation exercise strictly follows constitutional provisions and operational guidelines. They emphasized that electoral reforms must be transparent, lawful, and reflective of the identities and realities of the communities affected. The Itsekiri nation maintained that while it supports democratic inclusion and fair representation, such objectives must be pursued within the framework of the law.
